80% of Jordanians suffer from vitamin D deficiency

A Jordanian Endocrinology and Diabetes specialist has said that three studies conducted in the Kingdom show that 70 to 80 percent of Jordanians suffer from vitamin D deficiency, a rate that is among the highest in the world.

During a lecture organised by Jordan- Sweden Medical and Sterilization Company (JOSWE) in Amman, Dr. Jihad Haddad said that this ratio is one of the high rates in the world among men, women and children.

He added that one out of every two children in Jordan has a vitamin D deficiency, and the ratio among women is slightly higher than the rest of the age groups due to lack of exposure to direct sunlight, which is the main source of vitamin D.

He explained that there are no specific symptoms of vitamin D deficiency, but a vitamin D deficient person often feels fatigue, muscle pain, tension and suffers inflammation more than a normal person.

He noted that the lack of this vitamin causes numerous health problems, including immune system disorder and imbalance in the muscles and movement system, and that there is a direct correlation between vitamin D deficiency and cardiovascular disease, stroke, heart attack and high blood pressure.

Dr. Haddad also pointed to studies linking vitamin D deficiency with cancer, especially breast, colon and prostate cancer.
Source: Petra